Faster PC or instant fire?

"A 240V mains lead found during a clean up in an
Australian university engineering faculty. It has been tagged
out and the pins bent after it was found. Yes, that's a DB9
female connector on the other end, just the thing to plug into
the serial port on your PC. Nothing is known about the history
of this cord, but the DB9 looks like its been fitted in the
factory"

Is there a valid reason for this, other than frying main
board, ram and hard disc? if so please let safetyphoto know.